Bärbel Bas: “I can understand that many Jews feel sadness and anger at the country in which they live.”
A Berlin entrepreneur wants to combat anti-Semitism. SPD politician Bärbel Bas, then President of the Bundestag, immediately sided with him. In this interview, she explains why.
He comes from a Jewish family that wanted to stay out of politics. His grandfather, a survivor of Auschwitz , had returned to Berlin, and the trauma was deeply felt. But after October 7, 2023, Nicolai Schwarzer could no longer bear to watch antisemitism grow in Berlin. He organized a large-scale demonstration and launched a major school project.
He found supporters, politicians, and celebrities. One woman in particular, after meeting him, began to collaborate herself: SPD politician Bärbel Bas , then President of the Bundestag. She recently left this position, but remains loyal to Nicolai Schwarzer's project, she explains in an interview with the Berliner Zeitung.
Ms. Bas, how did you come to support Nicolai Schwarzer’s project “Never Again Is Now”?
This was written after an awards ceremony at the Jewish community Chabad Berlin, shortly after October 7, 2023. That's where we first started talking. Nicolai Schwarzer was deeply moved by the large demonstrations for the Palestinians, some of which included anti-Semitic slogans. In contrast, there were very few public expressions of solidarity for the victims of the terrorist attack in Israel. The silence in Germany outraged us both. This is how the idea of organizing a large demonstration in Berlin was born.
You organized a large demonstration together in Berlin, even though you didn't know each other beforehand?
I was right by his side. Nicolai Schwarzer took charge of the organization and approached many artists. Michel Friedman, Roland Kaiser, and Arne Friedrich, among others, spoke at the rally. But he also found that many people were reluctant to take a stand. After the demonstration, we asked ourselves: How can we continue? That's how we came up with the idea for the school project.
You say “we”, are you now a permanent member?
We're always in touch. I'll also be visiting a few school classes. Nicolai Schwarzer also wants to record celebrity avatars to bring them directly into many classrooms. I'm happy to support him wherever I can. As President of the Bundestag, for example, I've written to celebrities to promote the school project.
Can a letter from the President of the Bundestag make a big difference?
The reactions were varied. We experienced that many were reluctant to take a position. Others were immediately on board. This is a great school project that aims to educate young people in a differentiated way, so they can see both sides, not just one. It's also about recognizing antisemitism. The necessary knowledge is often lacking here. What is the history of antisemitism, and why does Germany have a special responsibility towards Jews and the State of Israel?
We've been talking about anti-Semitism and raising awareness about it for so long in Germany. Why do we need another school project on this topic?
The conflict in the Middle East complicates things. It concerns students. They ask themselves: What has been happening there for so many years? What is the background? I think it's important for young people to know that one can support the right of the State of Israel to exist while simultaneously criticizing the policies of the Israeli government. Many are afraid that if they do so, they will be labeled as Israel haters. The fear of doing something wrong is great.
But Jews in Germany are also afraid of attacks; since October 7, the number of anti-Semitic attacks has risen sharply.
Yes, unfortunately that's the way it is, and it bothers me a lot. I have the impression that many people in Germany aren't aware of the fears of Jews here. This also has to do with the reporting on the war in the Middle East. When I visit school classes, I hear that young people see the terrible videos from Gaza and the great suffering of the civilian population on their cell phones every day. But they don't see the other side. Neither the people in Israel, who continue to be attacked, nor the Jews in Germany. That's also a media dilemma. The images from Gaza are everywhere. With this school project, we're trying to give students a more differentiated view of the Middle East conflict and to promote reconciliation and peace.
In order to combat anti-Semitism in Germany, do we need to talk about the Middle East conflict in schools?
I think so. There's a huge need to talk about it. The videos and images are highly polarizing. In addition, many young people don't know any Jews at all. Or they don't know that someone is Jewish. This is also related to the fact that many are unfortunately hiding their Jewishness again – for fear of attacks and hostility. In my city, Duisburg, candy was also distributed after the terrorist attack on October 7th. We have a large Muslim community; fortunately, most people there see the situation in a more differentiated way. And for many years, we've had an alliance for tolerance and civil courage, actually for the fight against right-wing extremism. We mobilized the alliance even after October 7th. But the fight against anti-Semitism remains a huge task. There are hardly any Holocaust survivors left who can speak to schoolchildren. The question is: How do we explain to young people why Germany stands so strongly on Israel's side?
Bärbel Bas on Never Again is Now: “Stay on the ball in any case”How do you explain it?
The existence of the State of Israel has to do with the Holocaust, which was planned and carried out from Germany, and our role as perpetrators during the Nazi era. My experience is that if you talk to young people about it for a longer time and let them engage with it, they think about it in a more nuanced way.
Do you want to do this nationwide?
We're starting in Berlin. But we want to create something that will become part of the curriculum throughout Germany. We're thinking big.
What can come from a chance acquaintance.
Nicolai Schwarzer isn't giving up, despite hostility. His family fears for him because he's now in the public eye. He is the grandson of Holocaust survivors. His family lives in Berlin. It's clear to me: We can't leave the fight against anti-Semitism to Jews alone! We have to do something as a society as a whole. I can understand that many Jews now feel sadness and anger toward the country they live in because they feel abandoned.
What can we expect from the next federal government? We passed the anti-Semitism resolution in the Bundestag. It was a tough fight to even take a stand. But we succeeded. The next government must now implement its content. We have also enshrined it in the coalition agreement.
Will you pay attention to this?
I will definitely do that, in whatever role. Even if it's just as a member of the German Bundestag. I'll definitely stay on the ball.
Berliner-zeitung
